What: Lost AntarcticaWho: James McClintockWhen: Out nowWhy: We mentioned this book last week, but it's well worth another tout. Within, sea butterflies do a version of hailing a cab, a particular seafloor coral goes all Bojangles when it's dinnertime, and other cool stuff about this cold, beautiful place. Antarctica may be remote, but the fact that it is getting less cold every decade has consequences that will hit home no matter where you are on the planet. A fascinating read and a cautionary tale.

What: The Hydrogen SonataWho: Iain M. BanksWhen: October 9Why: A new entry in the excellent Scottish writer's sci-fi Culture series begun in 1987. Banks writes (non-science) fiction, too (without his middle initial), and if you haven't read his book The Wasp Factory, we can recommend it highly with this caveat: it is violent and deeply disturbing. Otherwise, you know, great.

What: Irresistible Revolution: Confronting Race, Class and the Assumptions of LGBT PoliticsWho: Urvashi VaidWhen: October 30Why: Essential LGBT activist Vaid writes penetrating essays about the movement with which she is most closely associated and explicates the connections for broader-based social change.

What: Waiting for the Barbarians: Essays from the Classics to Pop CultureWho: Daniel MendelsohnWhen: October 16Why: One of those rare writers we read no matter what he's writing about—and with Mendelsohn that can be anything, as the subtitle suggests, from Rimbaud to Mad Men.

What: In Season: More Than 150 Fresh and Simple Recipes from New York Magazine Inspired by Farmers Market IngredientsWho: Rob Patronite and Robin RaisfeldWhen: October 25 Why: The magazine writers, reliably inspiring themselves, get hardbound.

What: AstrayWho: Emma DonoghueWhen: October 30Why: The author of Room has here brewed up a number of short stories, inspired by fact, of travel in and out of North America, in which someone, in some way, goes astray. Can't wait for this one.

Chesley McLaren used to illustrate the paper version of MUG back in the day. In addition to her illustration work, she's gone on to write children's books and launch the fabulous line of clothing (chronicled in the Times) called Demoiselle by Chesley McLaren. She's having a sample sale of pieces from the fall and spring collection, sizes 2-6, today through Saturday, by appointment only. Cash only. Call her at 917.797.9818 or email for appointment or further info.